Saw a bicyclest get hit - ran right through a stop sign and in front of a car. Too bad for everyone, but bicycles aren't above the law you don't always have the right of way - don't try to force it you'll lose.

Cyclists who break the law do indeed deserve to get hit. So do car drivers who speed, who text while driving, who run stop signs and red lights, etc., etc., etc. I just hope that those motorists who are so quick to blame all cyclists for the actions of some are just as quick to grant law abiding cyclists their rightful place on the road - even when it means that the driver has to wait until it's safe to pass. Most don't. It's hypocrisy in the extreme for drivers to demand that cyclists always obey the law when they themselves do not even know the law, let alone practice safe driving. Most drivers think cyclists don't belong on the road. Until that changes, I can't fault cyclists for being just as ignorant of the law as motorists.

No one, biker or driver, DESERVES to be hit and any collision invariably hurts both parties either physically or emotionally. Illegal and irresponsible behavior by both dramatically increases the risk of getting hurt.

I do believe that too much focus is put on helmet use. Helmets actually do relatively little to preserve the safety of cyclists in our communities. Unfortunately, helmets have become a panacea, catch-all in terms of cycling safety in the minds of many. However, I contend that high visibility reflective clothing and lights (built into CaBi bikes!), safe cycling tactics and education for both cyclists and drivers, improved enforcement of laws for both drivers and cyclists, traffic calming measures, and improved cycling infrastructure in communities will do far more for protecting the craniums of cyclists than a helmet. For example, injury rates for Cyclists in European cities are far lower than for cyclists here in the USA, despite the fact that almost none of them wear helmets in Europe. The separated bike lanes on 15th St. NW, Pennsylvania Ave., and coming soon to L and M St. NW are a great way forward and I encourage more states and communities to fund similar physically-separated bikeways. They save lives while increasing cycling mode-share. As a cyclist who cares about his safety, avoiding being struck by an inattentive or careless driver is priority #1. Statistically, that is how cyclists are severely injured and in that situation a bicycle helmet will do very little. Wearing a helmet is a fine idea, but please, let's not act like an unhelmeted cyclist is a daredevil with a death wish and a helmeted cyclist is near-invincible.